Keep up with the latest executive movements across the mining sector, featuring Mineral Resources, Agnico Eagle, Rio Tinto and more.
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Peter Wade has announced his retirement as non-executive chairman of Mineral Resources (MRL), paving the way for James McClements to take over in the role.
Wade was MRL’s inaugural managing director and appointed executive chairman in 2008 before becoming non-executive chairman in 2012.
MRL founder and managing director Chris Ellison said the company wouldn’t be what it is without Wade’s contribution.
“When Peter joined us in 1999, he arrived with a reputation as a distinguished and impressive leader in Australia’s engineering, contracting and construction sectors,” Ellison said.
“Peter leaves MRL with all the acclaim he deserves for the leadership, expertise and guidance he has provided to our company – and its foundation subsidiaries – to enable us to become the well-respected market leader we are today.”
The co-founder and managing partner of Resource Capital Funds, McClements joined the MRL board in 2015 and has served as the company’s lead independent non-executive director.
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Just over two weeks after completing the Agnico Eagle Mines and Kirkland Lake Gold merger, Agnico’s new chief executive officer Tony Makuch has stepped down.
Ammar Al-Joundi will take over in his position with immediate effect, bringing with him more than 20 years’ experience in the resources industry with particular expertise in finance and business strategy.
Al-Joundi has been Agnico Eagle’s president since 2015 and will continue in this position going forward. Al-Joundi has also served as chief financial officer of Barrick Gold Corporation in the past.
As part of the merger, Agnico Eagle CEO Sean Boyd became executive chair, with the then Kirkland Lake CEO Makuch appointed as the combined company’s CEO.
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Rio Tinto non-executive director Hinda Gharbi is stepping down from the board as she joins Bureau Veritas as its chief operating officer.
Gharbi will then move into the role of chief executive officer of the French testing and certification company in 2023.
Rio Tinto chairman Simon Thompson honoured Gharbi’s significant contribution to the company.
“I would like to thank Hinda for her considerable contribution to the board over the last two years and for her wise counsel. On behalf of the board, I wish Hinda well for the future, particularly in her new role at Bureau Veritas,” Thompson said.
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West African Resources (WAF) has appointed Matthew Scully as the project director of the company’s Kiaka gold project in Burkina Faso.
Across the last 20 years, Scully has established a strong reputation for delivering remote mining projects in Australia and Africa.
Scully was most recently project director at Persues Mining where he was responsible for the development of the Sissingué and Yaouré gold projects in Cote d’Ivoire.
WAF executive chairman Richard Hyde said he was excited to have Scully on board.
“Matthew’s track record of building gold mines on time and budget is outstanding, highlighted by his recent success delivering the $380 million Yaouré gold project ahead of schedule and under budget for Perseus Mining,” he said.
“We look forward to Matthew joining our team at WAF to manage the development of Kiaka as we aim to be a 400,000-ounce-per-annum-plus gold producer by 2025.”
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Fortescue Metals Group has accepted the resignation of non-executive director Cao Zhiqiang, who also leaves his role as chairman of Chinese company, Hunan Valin Iron and Steel Group.
Fortescue chairman Andrew Forrest thanked Zhiqiang for his four years at the company.
“I am grateful for Dr Cao’s service to Fortescue since his appointment in January 2018,” Forrest said.
“His deep knowledge and experience in the steel industry has assisted in guiding the board in its decision-making over the last four years.”